Political Development:

Post-communist under USSR

Authoritarian rule under President Lukashenko

Belarus have been controlled byAlexender Lukashenko since 1994.Tactics of rule:1. Regard himself as "men of people"2. Ammed the constitution in order to increase his power: extend the term of president to 5 years personally3. Hold unfair and "pseudo competitive" elections 4. Banned opposition political parties: Prosecution and assassination of anti-government political leaders

1. High inflation rate (27% per year since 1998) due to poorly planned monetary policy 2. Budget deficit and growing foreign debts
News : IMF loans 680 million to Belarus 3.Monopolization in industry : no foreign competition in domestic market 4.extreme dependence on Russian supplies of raw materials and energy

Social development :

Abuse of human rights

1.use the criminal justice system and onerous administrative demands to control civil society: violence is used to treat international journalists and activists in demonstrations 2.Control of NGOS: controls political opposition groups, NGOs, and trade unions through costly and burdensome registration requirements3. No rights of assembly: Required to apply demonstration permits butauthorities continue to fine, jail, and search the homes of opposition activists in relation to organizing and participating in "unauthorized events4. Strict media control: State owned newspaper, TV and magazines censorship by authorities No freedom of expression by independent media